After having vowed his office had nothing to do with the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said today he was "outraged" at the information released connecting some of his top aide's to the scandal, according to the New York Times.
"What I've seen today for the first time is unacceptable," Christie said in the first comment provided by his office on Wednesday, according to Politico. In the past, Christie has denied reports his staff was involved with the lane closures and even mocked a reporter when he asked the governor about the issue months ago.
Emails and text messages released early on Wednesday show private conversations between top executives at the Port Authority and top aides to Christie in a plan to create "traffic problems in Fort Lee" by shutting down three lanes on the George Washington Bridge causing a complete gridlock, the Times reported.
The messages reference Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich and Barbara Buono, two of Christie's opponents, and contain vocabulary demonstrating somewhat of a vindictive cause, according to the Times.
"I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge," Christie said in a statement, according to the Times.
"This type of behavior is unacceptable and I will not tolerate it, because the people of New Jersey deserve better. This behavior is not representative of me or my administration in any way, and people will be held responsible for their actions," Christie added.
David Samson, a Port Authority chairman chosen by Christie, is also involved in the lane closures, and is described in the email as having aiding in the retaliation efforts, referencing the lane closures, according to the Times.
The emails do not contain any evidence Christie was directly involved in the lane closures, but his reflexive denial his aides could have ever been involved may cause a blow to his chances of running for president in 2016, according to the Times.
